To combat this problem, manufacturers like Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems design products which use energy more efficiently than in the past -- saving the homeowner money each month. In addition, the government has established guidelines that follow a simple ratio which rates efficiency. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) will tell you how your air conditioning unit compares to what is on the market today. The higher the SEER rating, the greater the efficiency and the more money saved on monthly energy bills when compared to units with a lower SEER rating.

Consumers shopping for a new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system should know that investing in a higher-rated model now will result in greater comfort and cost savings down the road. In reality, an air conditioning unit rated at 13 SEER will deliver approximately 23 percent more energy savings than one rated at 10 SEER.

To help you decide if your HVAC equipment needs to be replaced, take a closer look at these tips from ENERGY STAR*, a program of the U.S. Department of Energy:

* Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old

* Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old

* Your equipment is in need of frequent repairs and your energy bills are rising

* Your room temperatures are inconsistent

* Your home does not have a programmable thermostat, and no one is home for long periods of the day

* Your home has humidity problems

* Your home has excessive dust

* Your cooling system is noisy

While some of the above issues may be solved with simple maintenance checks, others may require an entirely new HVAC system. Fortunately, homeowners can reduce monthly payments with equipment featuring increased efficiency. “Compared to traditional furnaces and air conditioners, our high-efficiency systems can save the average homeowner as much as $140 a year,” says John Gibbons, vice president of Bryant national accounts.

Installing a high-efficiency heating and cooling unit can save homeowners as much as 20 percent on annual energy costs. These units have less impact on the environment, producing less carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide than their counterparts.

Courtesy of ARA Content